Studies on the nature and cellular distribution of TLMA--a major rat T axis differentiation antigen. Identification as the glycosphingolipid GgOse4Cer (asialo GM1).

The recently detected T axis differentiation antigen, which was provisionally designated as T-lymphocyte-macrophage-associated antigen (TLMA) could now be identified as the neutral glycosphingolipid GgOse4Cer (asialo-GM1). TLMA is not only expressed on lymphocytes on the T lineage and on macrophages of the rat, but also on eosinophilic cells. On erythrocytes, the determinants are only detectable after neuraminidase treatment. Within the cell surface of thymic lymphocytes, the antigen determinant is partly masked by sialic acid residues. Presently, it cannot be decided whether the masking effect is brought about by sialic acid residues of adjacent glycolipid molecules or whether a nonreactive sialylated precursor molecule exists.